Expert: David A. NewMyer - 5/31/2007

Question
Hello David,

I am a 24 year old father who has been interested in an aviation career for some time.  I hope to eventually fly the big boys and become captain on a regional or major, or even fly corporate in the cargo industry.

I have no college education at this time. I have 1 semester done but then the baby came.  My plan is to get whatever loan I can, either through Sallie Mae, Fafsa, or any other financial institution.  I wanted to get your thoughts on getting a full commercial license while being in school at the same time. I know that Most employers "prefer" a bachelors degree.

I tried filling out the Fafsa form to but one of the schools I was interested is not listed.  It is not an Aviation University, just a flight school that came highly recommended from a fellow pilot friend. The School is Alliance Aircraft Services in Scottsdale Az. Is there anything I can do to get some federal aid if the school is not listed?

Thank You very much for your time.

Pedro J.  

Answer
Hi, Pedro:

Nice to hear from you...I will try to assist!

With regard to FAFSA, the schools you list on that form must be post-secondary institutions of higher education.  I believe that Alliance Aircraft Services is a proprietary school that offers training but is not a post-secondary institution devoted to education.  In the minds of the folks at FAFSA, that makes students attending Alliance ineligible to receive FAFSA sponsored financial aid.  However, I believe there are other loan programs that might apply.  Check the following sources of aviation schoolarships and financial aid for possibilities:

Aviation Scholarship Listing:  www.uaa.aero

Aviation Financial Aid:  www.avscholars.com

I wish you the best,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu